GLENDALE, Ariz. — It was not a command performance for Rockies right-hander Jordan Lyles.

His four innings against the White Sox on Tuesday afternoon were cluttered with five runs (all officially unearned), two hits, a walk and two hit batters.

The Rockies beat Chicago 7-6 at Camelback Ranch.

The fourth inning was a mess. Lyles plunked Melky Cabrera and Jose Abreu to open the inning and was then hurt by a rare error by second baseman DJ LeMahieu, who let Adam LaRoche’s grounder get through to right field. Lyles got two outs before Gordon Beckham rapped a two-run double and Tyler Flowers hit a two-run homer.

Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox hits a two-run homer against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning on April 27, 2014 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. (David Banks, Getty Images)

Jose Abreu’s assault on the major-league rookie record book has to have Rockies fans pondering the what-if scenarios.

As colleague Troy E. Renck wrote earlier this month, the Rockies last October were “all in” in their pursuit of the Cuban slugger, who has 10 home runs and 31 RBIs, breaking the previous rookie highs through the end of the April set by future hall of famer Albert Pujols in 2001.

Along with a six-year, $63 million offer, the Rockies tried to sell Abreu on the sky-high numbers a swing like his could produce at hitter-friendly Coors Field. But the White Sox offered more of the numbers Abreu was concerned with ($68 million), so he was off to Chicago.

Background: The idea of Jose Abreu playing an April game at Coors Field appeared real in October. The Rockies were all in on the Cuban free agent, quietly upping the ante over several weeks. During the World Series, the bidding grew serious. The Rockies told Abreu’s agents they’d go to $63 million over six years. At that point, the Rockies were in the lead — even if team owner Dick Monfort was nervous — and hoping to play on Abreu’s desire to play in the most hitter-friendly ballpark in baseball history. Problem was, Abreu had never heard of Coors Field. He was looking for the biggest contract. The White Sox delivered at $68 million and had the advantage of Cuban players on their roster. Rockies fans get to see Abreu this week in LoDo.

What’s up: Abreu entered Friday with momentum, getting five hits in his first 12 at-bats. Abreu doesn’t have the athleticism of Yoenis Cespedes or the speed of Yasiel Puig, Cubans who have electrified baseball in recent years. But he might have more power. He takes a cut befitting his 6-foot-3, 255-pound frame, which makes him look more like a college offensive lineman than a first baseman.

Renck’s take: Abreu made sense for the Rockies on every level. They needed power at first base and a ready replacement for the retired Todd Helton. The Rockies were aggressive because of Abreu’s age — he’s entering his prime at 27. But while he fit the roster perfectly, there was concern how it might have impacted the Rockies’ ability to acquire reliever Boone Logan. Many predict Abreu will be the American League rookie of the year. My bet is that Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka will run away with the trophy. Abreu will clobber fourth and fifth starters. His ability to reach greatness this season hinges on whether he has the bat speed to hit aces and late-inning relievers.

It was a perfect night for baseball in St. Louis before Game 3. Prior to Game 2, the Red Sox had won eight straight World Series games, including a sweep of the Rockies in 2007. (Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post)

ST. LOUIS — Todd Helton’s successor was briefly within reach last week, according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the Rockies’ bid for free agent first baseman Jose Abreu.

The Rockies aggressively pursued the Cuban superstar. I reported last week that they placed multiple bids on the 6-foot-3, 250-pound slugger. The amount was unknown. This weekend, sources said the Rockies reached $63 million, just shy of the White Sox’s winning bid of six years, $68 million.

Rockies’ ownership gave clearance to spend the money on Abreu. It’s unlikely that the Rockies would reach $60 million on another free agent this winter. Abreu was unique because of his age — he’s 26 — and power. Given the success of countrymen Yoenis Céspedes and Yasiel Puig, he represented a worthy gamble.

The last time I covered a playoff game in St. Louis, this happened. David Freese won MVP honors, in large part, due to his breathtaking performance in the Game 6 win over the Texas Rangers. (Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post)

The first World Series I covered was 2001. It was interwoven with brilliance and emotion, coming just weeks after the terrorist acts in New York City. I have never been at a sporting event like Game 3. President Bush threw a strike in the ceremonial first pitch, and you could practically feel 70,000 fists pump in the air with patriotism. It was a healing moment.

I will head to St. Louis this weekend for the middle games of the World Series. Each series is unique. Outside of the Rockies’ play-in game in 2007, the best game I have ever covered was Game 6 of the 2011 World Series. The Cardinals were down to their last out. And then third baseman David Freese ties it with a triple on a ball that Nelson Cruz gator-armed after inexplicably not playing “no doubles” (or deep to prevent exactly what happened).

Moments later, Freese walked off the Rangers. The same Freese who grew up in St. Louis, and whose friends razzed him for weeks after the Cardinals traded Jim Edmonds to San Diego to acquire him.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.